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Epiphany · The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Jonah 1:1-17

Jonah Flees from the Lord

Jonah and the Whale, Pieter Lastman
Jonah and the Whale, Pieter Lastman, 1621Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
Rembrandt's teacher paints the moment of being thrown overboard, with the sailors heaving and the creature already open in the water.It is the reading, from the storm to the swallowing, in one picture.Pieter LastmanAn Amsterdam history painter, chiefly remembered now as the teacher of Rembrandt and Lievens.Museum Kunstpalast, DüsseldorfA Rhineland museum with a strong Italian and Dutch collection and a large holding of glass.Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf

Overview & Insights

“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:3)

The NIV has omitted several rhetorical devices in these first three verses that are significant for an understanding of Jonah. Verse 1:1 begins with way e hî , which may be translated, “Now it came to pass,” or simply “Now.” The word is a sure indication that what follows is a story or narrative (cf. MT of Josh. 1:1; Judg. 1:1).

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Commentary

Background & Word Study

The Church Fathers

Questions preachers ask

How does the book of Jonah begin?

Called to preach to Nineveh, Jonah flees by sea; a great storm rises, and when he is cast overboard the sea grows calm and the Lord appoints a great fish to swallow him.

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